2. U AND PG
• A U stands for universal. A film rated U should be suitable for
audiences aged 4 and over.
• A PG stands for ‘parental Guidance’. Suitable for general viewings, but
some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. It should not
unsettle a child roughly aged 8 or over.
3. 12 and 12A
• Contains materials that is not suitable for children aged under 12.
• The 12A is used to rate films I cinemas- it means that any child under
the age of 2 has to be accompanied by an adult to see the film. As this
rule cannot be enforced in homes, DVDS/ Blu-rays are rated 12.
4. 15, 18 and R18
• No one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 rated film at the
cinema or buy/ rent a 15 film. Films rated 15 are not suitable
for children under 15 years old.
• Films rated 18 are for adults, no one under the age of 18 is
allowed to see a 18 rated film or buy an age 18 rated film
and none is suitable for children.
• The R18 category is a special and legally-
restricted classification primarily for explicit works of
consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults.
Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed
cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in
licensed sex shops.
5.
6. Difference between age 15 and 18 rated films
15
• Strong violence
• Frequent strong language
• Portrayals of sexual activity
• Strong verbal references to sex
• Sexual nudity
• Brief scenes of sexual violence or
verbal references to sexual violence
• Discrimatory language or behaviour
• Drug taking.
18
• Very strong violence
• Frequent strong/very strong language
• Strong portrayals of sexual activity
• Scenes of sexual violence
• Strong horror
• Strong blood and gore
• Real sex
• Discriminatory language and
behaviour
